This blog was created to promote the historical importance of cemeteries, grave markers, and the family history to be learned from a study of burial customs, burying grounds, and tombstones of Central Florida.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Old newspapers add stories to the stones

Have you ever hopped upon a grave marker and wondered what it WASN'T telling you?

You know, most of them will give you a name and a couple of vital dates. But, there is so much more to a person's life than the beginning and the end.

Now, we local rabbits have a great online resource for finding out more by perusing old newspapers posted at this website:

For example, yours truly wanted to know more about this Civil War veteran Nathan H. Fogg (20 June 1838 - 26 March 1916) who was buried in the GAR section of Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando.

I found his obituary printed in the 30 March 1916 edition of the Winter Park Post:

DEATH OF NATHAN H. FOGG

Nathan H. Fogg died at his home in Altamonte Springs Sunday evening. Mr. Fott has resided in Altamonte Springs for the past 32 years and was dearly beloved by all who knew him. In the words of one who knew him well, "He was a self-made man, a devoted husband, and a loving father--ever willing to lend to the poor and afflicted. He will be sadly missed by those whom he assisted in times of distress."

The funeral services took place Tuesday morning. The cortege left at 10 o'clock for Greenwood Cemetery, where after the Masonic ritualistic burial service, the interment was made in the G.A.R. burial ground. Undertaker Carey Hand was in charge of the arrangements.

The deceased was in his seventy-seventh year. He moved her to what was then Orange County from Saco, Maine. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. J.W. Osteen of Altamonte, and Mrs. J.M. Tracy of Colville, Wash.

The Graveyard Rabbit

by Frank Lebby Stanton

In the white moonlight, where the willow waves,He halfway gallops among the graves---A tiny ghost in the gloom and gleam,Content to dwell where the dead men dream,But wary still:For they plot him ill;For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm(May God defend us!) to shield from harm!

Over the shimmering slabs he goes---Every grave in the dark he knows;But his nest is hidden from human eyeWhere headstones broken on old graves lie.Wary still!For they plot him ill:For the graveyard rabbit, though skeptics scoff,Charmeth the witch and the wizard off!

The black man creeps, when the night is dim,Fearful, still, on the track of him;Or fleety follows the way he runs,For he heals the hurts of the conjured ones.Wary still!For they plot him ill;The soul's bewitched that would find release,To the graveyard rabbit go for peace!